IR Film Review: GANDAHAR [Janus]

Seeing the original version of Rene Laloux’s "Gandahar" is an interesting perspective as it was restored now in 4K. This reviewer had heard of a movie called "Light Years" which the Weinsteins picked up back in the 90s, re-edited it slight and put a new voice cast and score on. It disappeared from view and likely got caught up with rights and clearances. The original French animation film owes more to "Heavy Metal" and maybe some Ralph Bakshi though the story itself is interestingly prescient. The people of Gandahar, run by a council of women, most of them show their bare breasts in their uniforms (likely as a sign of power) see that there is an invasion coming with black metal men from the ancient sea attacking. The council of women sends a man servant named Sylvain, not unlike an Atreyu in "The Never Ending Story" to find out what is happening beyond their view. They think the strife and conflicts is being caused by would-be mutants who only have half a body or has been grafted into other forms. The interactions with those creature again pertains to an earthy sorcery context as they climb over large stalks and through caverns. Like old Filmation and other animation studios, the motion of the humanoids seems to be drawn from some live action plates. Sylvain does find out what is happening in a way with a bigger baddie being one called Metamorph (himself being literally a large brain) who has a hand in what is going on with the metal man.

The use of metaphor is a little overdone with large metal eggs being used as a cauldron to consume the stone essence of what was previously real people. Sylvain runs into a local girl there (within an egg) when he is able to thwart the ray effects of the metal men (which turn people into said stone). The reasoning of what the ray does and his impervious nature to it is never explained and basically is meant to be accepted. Laloux and graphic artist Cava capture some interesting worlds but even in the original French language most of the dialogue manifestations are too matter-of-fact. The context of the mutants talking in future speak as in “was/will be” is a little confusing as well as their life expectancy. Sylvain wants to keep the metal man from invading his city and yet the attack seems inevitable. However what decides the victory is unclear since crab-like monsters seem to be winning but then seemed to turn on those who they were working for. Sylvain also makes a decision offered by the Metamorph too easily or willingly despite some other reasons he might have to stay where he is. The final resolution is interesting to see but almost anticlimactic because the mutants still talk about what has been even as a new day dawns. “Gandahar” is an original and unique adaption of a 1968 French novel but almost gets too caught up in its almost LSD-inspired imagery to understand the plight and adjusted motivation of its lead character. The remaster looks good but like most hand drawn animation from that time, it can only be so crisp without losing the draw lines. 80%/B/B-

By Tim Wassberg